Put an end to anchor babies

The current flood of kids overwhelming our southern border diverts media attention from another major crisis — maternity migration (also called birth tourism). Pregnant women and their partners come here to obtain automatic U.S. citizenship for kids born on our soil, granted under the 14th Amendment. This exodus is not just from poor areas like Mexico & Central America, but also from wealthy nations like China, as spotlighted in network news reports on “anchor babies” — infants born to parents who enter the U.S. illegally and remain here unlawfully. The 14th Amendment’s “Citizenship Clause” was drafted after the Civil War to protect children of newly freed slaves in the U.S. It did not apply to babies born here whose parents came from other nations, but has since been expanded, perverted and exploited by politicians & immigrants. GOP congressional representatives introduced a bill that would deny automatic U.S. citizenship to kids born in our country, unless at least one parent resides here legally. The House will probably pass this bill, but it faces strong Senate opposition from liberal leaders who pander to ethnic voting blocs. Unless Congress passes and President Obama signs this measure, comprehensive immigration reform is not possible.